HHS senior gives back to Shriners Hospital

By Molly McGowanTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Friday, May 9, 2014 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 8, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.

Two years ago, Hannah Trantham only had 49 percent lung capacity, two severe curves in her spine, and was told she'd be paralyzed by age 25 and unable to have children if she didn't undergo surgery for her scoliosis.

Hannah Trantham has started a non-endowed donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation of Henderson County to raise money for the Shriner's Hospital in Greenville, S.C.

Patrick Sullivan/Times-News

This month, the senior at Hendersonville High proudly will wear a low-backed prom dress May 17 to show off the scar that resulted from the life-changing surgery and care she received at Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville, S.C.

And Trantham is giving back to the donation-based medical facility that has improved the quality of life for so many children. As her senior project this year at HHS, Trantham has created “Hannah's HOPE for Shriners,” a fundraising effort to benefit the Greenville hospital — an effort Trantham intends to continue after graduation.

She's also partnered with the Community Foundation of Henderson County, where she's created a non-endowed donor-advised fund.

“That's a fund where you either raise money or have money available for a charitable purpose,” explained Lee Henderson-Hill, foundation relations manager at CFHC.

Instead of holding a bake sale or penny sale, Trantham is treated as a philanthropist and provided with valuable connections for future fundraising, Henderson-Hill said.

“We're certainly thrilled any time young people want to be involved in philanthropy,” she added.

It's actually Trantham's first shot at philanthropy, but her positive experiences at the Shriners hospital have given her a passion for fundraising beyond her June graduation date.

When Trantham initially visited the hospital during her sophomore year, the curve at the top of her spine was at 65 degrees, and the lower curve was at a 50-degree angle. An MRI showed Trantham still had some growing to do, so a spinal fusion at that point would've been counterintuitive.

By the time she had surgery, the top curve was at 70 degrees and pushing her spine up under her right shoulder blade, and the bottom curve had bent to 60 degrees.

“I have two rods and 16 screws,” held together with four hooks and two clamps, Trantham said.

The straightening out of her back also meant Trantham gained a few inches she'd lost over the years.

Trantham's father is 6-foot-3-inches tall and before the surgery, “I would hug his chest,” she said. “Now I can hug his neck.”

During Trantham's surgery and recovery, she and her family were touched by the care Shriners hospital doctors and nurses showed to patients' families. Trantham said her mother was treated to quality toiletries for the many showers she took at the hospital, and all the children were allowed to make Build-A-Bear stuffed animals before going into surgery.

“I named mine after my favorite nurse, Mandy,” said Trantham.

She and her mother began collecting new toothbrushes and toiletries to donate to the hospital each time Trantham had a check-up visit, and now she figures the money Hannah's HOPE for Shriners raises could very well go toward the same cause.

“It doesn't really matter to me, as long as it benefits the hospital,” she said.

And donations like the $700 Hannah's raised so far are exactly what allow the Shriners hospitals across the United States and in Mexico to provide advanced care to children — at low or no cost to families.

“We have 22 hospitals and it's all funded by donations,” said Ron Dellinger, a Shriner with the Hendersonville Shrine Club and Trantham's project mentor.

“If you have insurance, we'll take it,” he said. “If you don't have insurance, we'll still take you.”

Trantham had such a positive experience that when her best friend, Reagan Rogers, was diagnosed with scoliosis, Trantham convinced Rogers' family to check out Shriners.

“I would trust them with anything,” said Trantham.

Though she's presenting her project for a grade on May 15, Trantham said she plans on hosting an annual fundraiser in the future.

“Her story is amazing,” said Dellinger. “Doing what she's doing just touches my heart.”

“Her fundraising efforts have just begun,” said Henderson-Hill. “Certainly as a caring, giving community, we can help her along.”

To donate to Trantham's fundraiser, make checks payable to “Community Foundation of Henderson County” with “Hannah's HOPE for Shriners” in the memo line, or donate online via the link on the Facebook page, “Hannah's HOPE for Shriners.”

<p>Two years ago, Hannah Trantham only had 49 percent lung capacity, two severe curves in her spine, and was told she'd be paralyzed by age 25 and unable to have children if she didn't undergo surgery for her scoliosis.</p><p>This month, the senior at Hendersonville High proudly will wear a low-backed prom dress May 17 to show off the scar that resulted from the life-changing surgery and care she received at Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville, S.C. </p><p>And Trantham is giving back to the donation-based medical facility that has improved the quality of life for so many children. As her senior project this year at HHS, Trantham has created “Hannah's HOPE for Shriners,” a fundraising effort to benefit the Greenville hospital — an effort Trantham intends to continue after graduation.</p><p>She's also partnered with the Community Foundation of Henderson County, where she's created a non-endowed donor-advised fund.</p><p>“That's a fund where you either raise money or have money available for a charitable purpose,” explained Lee Henderson-Hill, foundation relations manager at CFHC.</p><p>Instead of holding a bake sale or penny sale, Trantham is treated as a philanthropist and provided with valuable connections for future fundraising, Henderson-Hill said. </p><p>“We're certainly thrilled any time young people want to be involved in philanthropy,” she added. </p><p>It's actually Trantham's first shot at philanthropy, but her positive experiences at the Shriners hospital have given her a passion for fundraising beyond her June graduation date.</p><p>When Trantham initially visited the hospital during her sophomore year, the curve at the top of her spine was at 65 degrees, and the lower curve was at a 50-degree angle. An MRI showed Trantham still had some growing to do, so a spinal fusion at that point would've been counterintuitive. </p><p>By the time she had surgery, the top curve was at 70 degrees and pushing her spine up under her right shoulder blade, and the bottom curve had bent to 60 degrees.</p><p>“I have two rods and 16 screws,” held together with four hooks and two clamps, Trantham said.</p><p>The straightening out of her back also meant Trantham gained a few inches she'd lost over the years.</p><p>“I was 5 foot 8 inches before,” she said. “I was 5 foot 11 inches when I woke up.”</p><p>Trantham's father is 6-foot-3-inches tall and before the surgery, “I would hug his chest,” she said. “Now I can hug his neck.”</p><p>During Trantham's surgery and recovery, she and her family were touched by the care Shriners hospital doctors and nurses showed to patients' families. Trantham said her mother was treated to quality toiletries for the many showers she took at the hospital, and all the children were allowed to make Build-A-Bear stuffed animals before going into surgery.</p><p>“I named mine after my favorite nurse, Mandy,” said Trantham.</p><p>She and her mother began collecting new toothbrushes and toiletries to donate to the hospital each time Trantham had a check-up visit, and now she figures the money Hannah's HOPE for Shriners raises could very well go toward the same cause.</p><p>“It doesn't really matter to me, as long as it benefits the hospital,” she said.</p><p>And donations like the $700 Hannah's raised so far are exactly what allow the Shriners hospitals across the United States and in Mexico to provide advanced care to children — at low or no cost to families.</p><p>“We have 22 hospitals and it's all funded by donations,” said Ron Dellinger, a Shriner with the Hendersonville Shrine Club and Trantham's project mentor.</p><p>“If you have insurance, we'll take it,” he said. “If you don't have insurance, we'll still take you.”</p><p>Trantham had such a positive experience that when her best friend, Reagan Rogers, was diagnosed with scoliosis, Trantham convinced Rogers' family to check out Shriners. </p><p>“I would trust them with anything,” said Trantham.</p><p>Though she's presenting her project for a grade on May 15, Trantham said she plans on hosting an annual fundraiser in the future.</p><p>“Her story is amazing,” said Dellinger. “Doing what she's doing just touches my heart.”</p><p>“Her fundraising efforts have just begun,” said Henderson-Hill. “Certainly as a caring, giving community, we can help her along.”</p><p>To donate to Trantham's fundraiser, make checks payable to “Community Foundation of Henderson County” with “Hannah's HOPE for Shriners” in the memo line, or donate online via the link on the Facebook page, “Hannah's HOPE for Shriners.”</p><p>___</p><p>Reach McGowan at 828-694-7871 or molly.mcgowan@blueridgenow.com.</p>